Redecorating Without Buying New Furniture Can Still Be Luxe. Here’s How.

Olive & Wilde
May 19
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Redecorating Without Buying New Furniture: A Smart, Sustainable Approach. It’s Not About My Style, It’s About Making Yours Work Harder

When people invite me into their homes or short term rentals, I can almost hear the nerves before they speak:

“I know it’s a bit weird, but I actually really love that thing…” “It’s probably not your style, but I don’t want to get rid of it.”

Here’s what I always say, I’m not here to erase your style, I’m here to make it work harder!

There’s a misconception that working with an interior designer means starting again. Fresh everything. Big spend. Your own personality wiped and the Interior Designer's stamp is put on the place. But good design isn’t a style transplant. It’s not about replacing, it’s about revealing what’s already there, and making it shine.

This is especially true when you’re redecorating without buying new furniture. Or trying to design with sustainability and ROI in mind. Or simply don’t want to part with your Nan’s wild lampshade or that absurdly fabulous chrome unicorn head (true story).

The Curtains That Almost Got Cancelled

I was called in to work on a Grade II listed lounge with high drama built in, think ceilings over 3metre high, ornate cornices, a fireplace, sash windows, and a sweet window seat. But it was…struggling. Flock wallpaper, purple walls and red carpet...! Everything clashed. The space felt confused, not characterful. The owner thought her golden tapestry curtains were the problem.

tired regency room with red carpet, purple walls and bespoke curtains — The lounge before!

Except, those curtains were handmade. Fully lined. Embroidered with golden threads, deep greens, rich reds. Replacing them would’ve gutted the budget and the soul of the space.

So I didn’t fight them. I framed them.

We used sustainable interior design ideas to build around what was already working. Walls painted in colours that enhanced the curtains. Soft, layered textures. A new layout plan to emphasise the window seat. Suddenly, the curtains weren’t a clash, they were the crown jewel.

Design That Saves More Than Just Style

By repurposing existing home décor instead of scrapping it all, we:

Preserved a unique element with emotional (and financial) value
Avoided unnecessary spending & landfill waste
Created a design rooted in the property’s period identity
Elevated the entire experience for the owner and future guests

That’s what intentional design is: smart, soulful, sustainable.

So Ask Yourself This:

What have you already got that might be a hero in hiding?

An armchair you’re tired of? A family heirloom gathering dust? A vibe you love but don’t know how to execute?

You don’t need to erase what’s there. You just need someone to help you style it into something bold, useful, and you.

Want to Rework Your Space Without Replacing Everything?

Let’s figure out what deserves to stay, what needs a rethink, and what might be your unexpected hero piece.

→ Book a free discovery call to discover some fast, high impact wins.

→ Or dive straight into The Wilde Call — a 1:1 session that unblocks your space, connects to your story, and gives you tangible next steps to move forward.

→ Join The Wilde Brief to keep the ideas flowing.

Laura, sitting on a sofa smiling surrounded by colour cards.